It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
