This is a common warning for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
