It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master 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. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
