It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
