This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
