It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
