It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider 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 works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
