It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.