This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
