This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience rests upon the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
