It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
