It is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
