It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. 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 adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. 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, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
