This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
