This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
