It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal 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 comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
