This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
