It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
