It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
