It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
