This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film around this situation works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts come together into something enjoyable rests upon the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
