It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
