It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
