This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like 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 holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (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. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
