This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
