It is an often-repeated piece of advice among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such situations hinder ex-partners from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the mental health of dogs – countless people observe their profound sensitivity. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with divided living arrangements. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water seems debatable at best.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of the writing duo and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than a light film. We have here a holiday release from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions are modest. The plot unfolds as uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. Once there, as expected, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by 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 holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Canine Charisma
How these standard ingredients merge into a pleasant experience rests upon the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for cute animal clips. It provides a plethora of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between emotional depth, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a single genre. The fault lies not with the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe required by the dog resort scenario. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. The character can feel a touch too detached, particularly when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages flopping and whining – not quite a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a very good boy.)
The story strives to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for the split might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and more subtle storytelling. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie about dog co-parenting has potential – even if it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
