It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
