It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a bit too dry, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
