It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
