This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely 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 Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.