It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
