It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
