It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
