This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
