This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (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. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
