It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
