It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not 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 ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
