This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
