It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
