It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
