This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
