It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
