This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
