This is a common warning for numerous people that co-parenting a pet after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the dogs themselves to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
