It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – as seen in flurries piled on green trees as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
How these standard ingredients merge into something enjoyable hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The tone vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
