This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the mental health of animals – many owners observe their profound sensitivity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would struggle adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions remains surface-level. Its storyline unfolds as simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think fake snow piled on lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna comes across as a bit too dry, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a regrettable choice, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting isn't a bad idea – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
