It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a pet post-separation is ill-advised. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the inner life of our pets – countless people speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
How these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is the dog, and while this leads to some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
The same praise does not extend for the interpersonal drama. The film's approach wavers between serious study, zany antics, predictable love story, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is willing to embrace the humiliating and funny inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a charming humility that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, injects a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages flopping and whining – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is easily the cutest element of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Amazon Prime Video on December 10th.
