This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
