It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
