It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
