It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
