It is a widely held belief for numerous people that jointly caring for a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, since the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
