This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
