This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
