This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (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. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.