This is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. 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 Amazon Prime Video this December.
