It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions are modest. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, 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, since Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
