It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
