This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
