It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.