This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
