It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
