It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. The narrative proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
