This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements prevent ex-partners from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. If you need prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions are modest. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable depends on the actors' work and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The tone shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video this December.
