It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
