It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
