It is a widely held belief among many that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
