This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple 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, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
