This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
