It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
