It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
