This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple 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 uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
