This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
