It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
