It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – 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 visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
