This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – 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 such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
