This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such arrangements impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance across the board. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their remarkable empathy. For a prime example in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time coping with split households. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by director Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than what it is. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow surrounding verdant foliage as a warm climate substitutes for a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video this December.
