This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
