It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need prime example in pet despair, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story with this canine conflict has potential – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
