It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as a warm climate doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these predictable parts merge into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for pet content. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, never fully committing to any one mode. This is not Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it achieves only baseline competence. The catalyst for their separation would feel more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – but it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
