It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
