This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. We have here a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these predictable parts coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
