This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
