This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements 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 hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
