It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
