It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
