This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.