It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
