This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
