It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
