It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, 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 romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.