It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
