It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, 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 undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
