This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying 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 – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
