This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
