It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
