It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
