It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: 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, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
