It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a full holiday film on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
