This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, 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 mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
