It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
