It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, 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 required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
