This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise 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, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
