This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
