This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
