This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
