It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
