It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
