It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
