This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion post-separation is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups impede former couples from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be deeper than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The narrative proves to be simple and direct: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on green trees as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who browse regularly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. Its style wavers between emotional depth, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, since the title character is undoubtedly the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
