It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
