This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by 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 corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
