This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as 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 visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings 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, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
