This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from finding closure, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners observe their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type played by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by a group of comedic actors – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style wavers between emotional depth, zany antics, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. His performance contains a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the dog is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video on December 10th.
