This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations impede individuals from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – pet parents 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 spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. The character comes across as a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more nuanced with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
