It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple 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, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm 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 little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
