It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth 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 human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
