This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, 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 regrettable choice, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
