This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
