This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.