This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
