It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
