It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Without minimizing the mental health of dogs – many owners attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in pet despair, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. Its storyline unfolds as uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their separation would feel more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Making a film about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
