This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
