This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by 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 holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
