This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a feature-length romcom on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
