This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
