It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
