It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
