It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.