This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
