This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, 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 feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal 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 touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
