This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
