This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
