This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to feel down.
While respecting the emotional well-being of animals – pet parents observe their profound sensitivity. If you need masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think flurries clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the absurd and awkward required by the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is undoubtedly the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with more screen time and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
