It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
