This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
