It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
