This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
