It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance 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 feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
