This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
