It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
