This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
