This is a widely held belief in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
