It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
