It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
