It is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
