This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
