It is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups impede ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of our pets – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and one's taste for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv knows its audience – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is Merv himself, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the interpersonal drama. The tone wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal can feel a little too aloof, especially when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split would feel more nuanced with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
