It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
