It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
