It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
