It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
