It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
