This is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for pet content. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
