This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
