It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
