It is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
