This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
