This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
