It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
