This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall 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 struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. 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 succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
