This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of animals – countless people observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. We have here a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. The plot unfolds as simple and direct: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between emotional depth, broad humor, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the silliness and cringe inherent in the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the dog is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film with this canine conflict is not terrible – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
