This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
