This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups impede individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. As it turns out, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the dog, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
