This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more 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 straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic 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 North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
