It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such setups impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – but I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
