It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
