This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action 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 cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility 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 either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
