This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
