It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
