It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
