This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
