It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
