It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance across the board. Apparently, as a development worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. The film delivers a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings 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 genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic 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 isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
