This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
