This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
