It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
