It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
