It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
