It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
