This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and prove frustrating across the board. Apparently, in a revelation suited to a direct-to-platform film, it reportedly leads to our furry friends to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of our pets – pet parents attest to their profound sensitivity. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle coping with divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup works effectively remains rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than its premise. It functions as a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the depth are modest. Its storyline proves to be uncomplicated: exes Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will presumably rediscover the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts merge into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for easy entertainment. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who browse regularly for cute animal clips. It provides a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success does not extend for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that supplies a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, particularly when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, the canine performer is convincing at acting depressed – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he remains an excellent dog.)
The film attempts to add substance to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since Merv is by far the most adorable aspect of this film designed for charm. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The reason for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, fulfilling all its marks. Making a film on this shared-custody premise has potential – though I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform this December.
