It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation fit for 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 deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a feature-length romcom around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, written by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. We have here a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth are modest. The plot unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – including familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow piled on lush pines as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, 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 humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies 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 comes across as a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
