This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
