It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
