This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
