It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
