It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
