It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
