It is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such situations hinder ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adjusting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water remains rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. This is a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in flurries surrounding verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv knows its audience – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a series of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a bit too dry, especially when alongside Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Gus the Dog is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he's definitely an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict has potential – though it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
