This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
