This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
