This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
