It is a common warning among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
