It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
