This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
