It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
