It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
