This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
