It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
