It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
