It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character 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 would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
