It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
