It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
