This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries clinging to verdant foliage as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – those people who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
