This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. 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 warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
