This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt 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 split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
