This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
