This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
