This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
