It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
