It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
