It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
