It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, 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. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
