This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
