This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such arrangements prevent individuals from healing, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need standout portrayal in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to life in two homes. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Visually has the quality of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – think obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients coalesce into something enjoyable hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and people's faces, the movie does offer canine party antics, dog depression, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, wacky comedy, standard rom-com beats, and physical comedy, not quite landing any one mode. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe inherent in the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal seems a touch too detached, notably when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself manages looking despondent – he may not be Messi from that acclaimed drama, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to provide depth to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with greater exploration and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – even if it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
