This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
