This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes 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 therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
