This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
