It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
