It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
