It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
