It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
