It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
