It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
