This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
