This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched 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 – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
