This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
