This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
