It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
