This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly 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 stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
