This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
