This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
