This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
