It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
