It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, 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 vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
