It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
