This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
