This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
