It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
