This is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
