It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
