This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
