It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing 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 rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
