This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the title character is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
