This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies 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 click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
