It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
