It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. 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 animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
