It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
