It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
