This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – 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 obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
