This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
