This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
