It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
While respecting the mental health of our pets – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video starting December 10.
