This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
