This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
