It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in pet despair, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
