This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness 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, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
