It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
