This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
