This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
