This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. 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 canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
