This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
