It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
