This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. 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. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action 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 does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
