It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
