It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
