It is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a pet post-separation is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements prevent former couples from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and become annoying for everyone involved. As it turns out, as a development fit for a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the canine in question to experience sadness.
Not to downplay the inner life of our pets – pet parents observe their deep emotional capacity. To witness a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, consider another performance. It seems certain that a dog such as Merv, a spirited little dog played by Gus the Dog, would find it difficult adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance around this situation is sustainable seems a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and helmed by playwright Jessica Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot is destined to be straightforward: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – played by familiar faces – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a streaming service original, with a wintry atmosphere that is visibly contrived – as seen in flurries clinging to lush pines as North Carolina substitutes for a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
Whether these predictable parts come together into an entertaining watch hinges on the strength of the performances and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – individuals who seek out for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and even if it causes some awkward editing between animal action and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a charming humility that provides the bulk of the chemistry for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will be to your taste or not. Her portrayal comes across as a touch too detached, notably when contrasted against Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages acting depressed – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to the couple's history for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, given that Merv is undoubtedly the best part of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The reason for the split might seem more adult and realistic with less exposition and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting has potential – but it's not exactly a stroke of genius.
- Merv becomes available on Prime Video on December 10th.
