It is a common warning among many that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog 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 is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
