It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
