This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to green trees as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
