This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a bit too dry, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at acting depressed – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that Merv is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video this December.
