This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
