It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
