This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
