It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
