This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups hinder former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between relationship drama, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
