This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
