This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
