It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
