This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
