This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
