This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
