It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
