It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
