It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
