It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
