It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
