This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog 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 fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
