It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
