It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
