This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
