It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
