It is a common warning in certain circles that jointly caring for a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
