This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action 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 wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
