This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
