This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
