This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
