It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
