It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
