It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, 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
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
