This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
