This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
