This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect 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 less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
