This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
