It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
