It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
