It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
