It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
