It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
