This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal 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 struggle adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
