It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Apparently, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – including a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – think flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since the dog is easily the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
