It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
