This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
