It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
