It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
