It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
