It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
