It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
