This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.