This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
