This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – 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, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
