It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
