It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
