This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
