This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. The plot proves to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
