It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
