This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
