This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
