It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. The narrative unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements come together into an entertaining watch depends 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 browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, especially when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation could have been more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video this December.
