This is a widely held belief in certain circles that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
