This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
