This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
