It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
