This is a common warning in certain circles that co-parenting a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
