This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey 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 paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
