This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
