This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
