It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched 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. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
