This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
