This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such setups prevent individuals from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. This is a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth is limited. The narrative unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects surrounding lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
