This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
