This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
