This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
