It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
