It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
