This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
