It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
