This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
