It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
