This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
