This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
