This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
