It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies 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 portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
