It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
