It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
