This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
