This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
