This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
