This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
