This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
