It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
