This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
