It is a widely held belief among many that co-parenting a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
