This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
