It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
