This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
