This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by 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 luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
