It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
