It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
