This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
