It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
