This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split could have been more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
