This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a pet following a split is a terrible idea. Most will argue such arrangements impede ex-partners from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Apparently, in a revelation worthy of a direct-to-platform film, it can even cause the dogs themselves to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of animals – countless people attest to their deep emotional capacity. For a standout portrayal in dog sorrow, simply recall recent cinema. I firmly believe that a dog such as Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on this conflict is sustainable is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, crafted by the writing duo and under the guidance of Jessica Swale, makes no grand claims deeper than its premise. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity is limited. Its storyline is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a uplifting getaway to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will presumably realize the idea that they are better together. Side characters – featuring familiar faces – are crafted as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is clearly manufactured – exemplified by obvious snow effects clinging to lush pines as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these predictable parts come together into a pleasant experience depends on the strength of the performances and an acceptance of easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who scroll endlessly for dog videos. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The central draw is the dog, and while this leads to some awkward editing between the pet's "lines" and the actors' responses, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the romantic plot. The tone wavers between serious study, broad humor, predictable love story, and physical comedy, never fully committing to a consistent feel. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is fully game the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a endearing lack of ego that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Anna's portrayer, true to her usual style, injects a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character comes across as a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (It should be noted, the canine performer manages acting depressed – while no the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains a very good boy.)
Merv tries to give weight to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a regrettable choice, considering the title character is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The cause for their separation could have been more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling all its marks. Crafting a story on this shared-custody premise has potential – but I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform this December.
