It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
