This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
