This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
