It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
