It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
