This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
