It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
