This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
