This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups prevent ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe 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. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
