This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
