It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
