This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
