This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
