It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
