This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
