It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
