This is an often-repeated piece of advice for numerous people that sharing custody a canine companion after a breakup is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying across the board. As it turns out, as a development suited to a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, simply recall another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adjusting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict holds water is rather doubtful.A Familiar Formula
To its credit, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the depth remains surface-level. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is rivaled only by their dog's, decide on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will presumably realize the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by fake snow piled on verdant foliage as North Carolina stands in for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
How these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch depends on the strength of the performances and one's taste for comfort viewing. For the comfort factor, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for dog videos. Audiences receive a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie does offer walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
The same praise is not earned for the romantic plot. The film's approach vacillates between relationship drama, zany antics, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, not quite landing a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that supplies much of the film's charm for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer is convincing at flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a scene-stealer.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering Merv is by far the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for the split might seem more nuanced with more screen time and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting precisely what you anticipate. Making a film about dog co-parenting has potential – though it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
