It is a common warning among many that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is a terrible idea. The consensus suggests such setups prevent former couples from moving forward, cause practical headaches, fuel disputes, and become annoying across the board. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the inner life of dogs – many owners observe their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, simply recall a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable seems rather doubtful.Standard Holiday Fare
To its credit, Merv, written by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be deeper than what it is. This is a seasonal offering from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their post-breakup gloom is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely rediscover the idea that they belong with each other. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – as seen in fake snow clinging to green trees as a summer location doubles as a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
If these familiar elements come together into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a series of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between what the dog does and the actors' responses, the movie does offer walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. Its style vacillates between emotional depth, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe required by the bizarre setting. He brings a charming humility that provides much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna can feel a bit too dry, notably when contrasted against Cox's vulnerable performance. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for sequences focusing solely on them – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The reason for their separation would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting all its marks. Crafting a story with this canine conflict is not terrible – even if I wouldn't call it a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
