This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
