This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
