It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a masterclass in pet despair, simply recall another performance. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their post-breakup gloom is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is Merv himself, and though it results in some stilted moments between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Human Element
The same praise is not earned for the interpersonal drama. The tone shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe required by the unusual premise. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal can feel a bit too dry, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Merv himself manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
