It is a widely held belief among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such setups impede individuals from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of dogs – pet parents observe their remarkable empathy. For a masterclass in dog sorrow, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would struggle adapting to divided living arrangements. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on such a setup is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the depth are modest. The narrative unfolds as straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, realizing that their post-breakup gloom is matched by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they should reunite. Ensemble players – featuring a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience rests upon the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who scroll endlessly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and people's faces, the movie succeeds in showing walking sequences, dog depression, and, in the end, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe inherent in the bizarre setting. Cox exhibits a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a particular brand of eccentricity that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (It should be noted, the canine performer succeeds in flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, given that the dog is undoubtedly the most adorable aspect of this feel-good picture. Expectedly, it meets the bare minimum. The reason for the split could have been more adult and realistic with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Making a film about dog co-parenting is not terrible – but I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv premieres on Prime Video starting December 10.
