This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative is destined to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look is reminiscent of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. The character comes across as a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that Merv is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
