It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.