This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
