This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
