It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
