This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a direct-to-platform film, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their profound sensitivity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent 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 a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their original breakup could have been more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
