It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward required by the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
