It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
