This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
