It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: 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, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
