It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
