It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
