It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly 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 fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
