This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
