It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with 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 on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
