It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, 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 catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
