It is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate stands in for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the actors' work and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog manages acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
