This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
