This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations prevent former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to feel down.
While respecting the mental health of dogs – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance around this situation holds water is debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including familiar faces – are crafted as the usual assortment of types. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – think fake snow surrounding green trees as North Carolina doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – those people who seek out for pet content. It provides a series of canine-centric sequences. The main attraction is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie does offer canine party antics, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
Where It Wobbles
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach wavers between serious study, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, failing to master any one mode. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is fully game the humiliating and funny required by the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this seemingly ideal couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. Her portrayal comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (It should be noted, Merv himself succeeds in looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for sequences focusing solely on them – which is unfortunate, considering Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup might seem more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a stroke of genius.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video this December.
