This is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup works effectively remains debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a streaming platform giant – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline proves to be straightforward: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. There, inevitably, they will surely realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in fake snow piled on lush pines as a summer location doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients merge into an entertaining watch rests upon the actors' work and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing canine party antics, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise is not earned for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, particularly when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – while no a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since Merv is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with less exposition and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
