This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom around this situation holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
