This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative 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 matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
