It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
