It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself 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 provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
