This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
