This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
