It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on green trees as a warm climate doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
