It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by 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 canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, 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 emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
