It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
