It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
