This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Prime Video on December 10th.
