It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
