This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
