It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a charming humility that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
