It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
