It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
