This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: 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 uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
