This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
