This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements 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 pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (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.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
