It is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such situations prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. As it turns out, as a development worthy of a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of dogs – pet parents speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in pet despair, one need only look recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adjusting to split households. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
To its credit, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the depth is limited. The narrative is destined to be simple and direct: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic carries the feel of a branded content, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding green trees as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of adorable dog montages. The central draw is the canine star, and though it results in some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, never fully committing to a single genre. This is not Charlie Cox, who is fully game the absurd and awkward demanded of the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's genuine sadness. (On another note, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – while no Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering Merv is undoubtedly the cutest element of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split would feel more nuanced with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict isn't a bad idea – but it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
