It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
