It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing 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 presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
