It is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
