This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
