This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of 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 are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
