This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.