This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
