This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
