It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
