This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
