This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
