This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the dog, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup could have been more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
