This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (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.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
