This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
