It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and become annoying for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – countless people attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need masterclass in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a bit too dry, particularly when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with more screen time and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
