It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
