This is an often-repeated piece of advice in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a recipe for trouble. Experts frequently claim such arrangements hinder former couples from finding closure, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation worthy of a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of our pets – pet parents attest to their deep emotional capacity. If you need prime example in dog sorrow, consider a past film. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would struggle adjusting to split households. Whether this premise an entire Christmas romance on this conflict works effectively seems a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, the work of the writing duo and directed by director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. We have here a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot unfolds as straightforward: former spouses Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), realizing that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will presumably stumble toward the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. The film's look has the quality of a branded content, with a Christmas setting that is obviously artificial – think obvious snow effects piled on lush pines as a warm climate substitutes for the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
If these standard ingredients come together into a pleasant experience depends on the actors' work and the viewer's appetite for comfort viewing. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who browse regularly for dog videos. The film delivers a wealth of canine-centric sequences. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between animal action and the actors' responses, the movie delivers on canine party antics, dog depression, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on 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 ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself manages flopping and whining – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to the couple's history for scenes without their pet – a bit of a pity, considering the title character is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it meets the bare minimum. The catalyst for their separation would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – but it's hardly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
