This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
