It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
