This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
