It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
