It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
