This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
