It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
