It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – pet parents speak of their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
