It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
