It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
