This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
