This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
