It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
