It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
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 by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
