It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
