This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the human side of the story. The tone wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
