This 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 arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched 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 belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
