It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
