It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
