It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
