This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.