It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
