It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. 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 the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
