This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
