This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by 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 Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
