This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation works effectively is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity are modest. Its storyline is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these familiar elements merge into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is Merv himself, and while this leads to some stilted moments between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach vacillates between emotional depth, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when alongside Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for their separation could have been more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting every expected note. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform this December.
