This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
