It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
