It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover 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. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
