It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
