It is a widely held belief for numerous people that co-parenting a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
