This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.