This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. If you need standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on such a setup works effectively remains a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than its premise. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions is limited. Its storyline unfolds as straightforward: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. Once there, as expected, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – including familiar faces – are crafted as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
How these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the actors' work and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. His performance contains a endearing lack of ego that offers much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a touch too detached, especially when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog manages looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, since the dog is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Making a film on this shared-custody premise is not terrible – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
