This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
