This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a dog following a split is ill-advised. The consensus suggests such situations impede individuals from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and prove frustrating for all parties. As it turns out, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the emotional well-being of dogs – many owners attest to their remarkable empathy. For a standout portrayal in pet despair, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog brought to life by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and helmed by Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be more profound than its premise. It functions as a holiday release from a corporate studio – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be straightforward: exes Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their own sadness is matched by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a canine-centric retreat. Once there, as expected, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Side characters – including a group of comedic actors – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – exemplified by fake snow clinging to verdant foliage as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients come together into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of adorable dog montages. The main attraction is the canine star, and while this leads to some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie does offer dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, doggie joy.
Where It Wobbles
Such effectiveness does not extend for the romantic plot. Its style shifts uneasily between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, never fully committing to a consistent feel. No blame falls on Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward inherent in the bizarre setting. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
Merv tries to add substance to Anna and Russ's relationship for scenes without their pet – which is unfortunate, since the title character is by far the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup would feel more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though it's not exactly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
