This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
