It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations impede former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
