This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
