This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
