It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
