It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
