This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of animals – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
