This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (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. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch 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 scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
