It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
