This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
