It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
