This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
