It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
