This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
