This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
