It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
