It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
