This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
