It 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 prevent individuals from healing, cause practical headaches, lead to tension, and become annoying across the board. Seemingly, and in a twist worthy of a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to experience sadness.
Without minimizing the mental health of our pets – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a masterclass in canine melancholy, consider recent cinema. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by Gus the Dog, would struggle adapting to life in two homes. If this concept an entire Christmas romance on such a setup holds water remains debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, written by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, doesn't pretend to be anything more than a light film. It functions as a seasonal offering from a corporate studio – the ambitions remains surface-level. The plot is destined to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, take a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly realize the idea that they are better together. The supporting cast – including Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as the usual assortment of types. Visually is reminiscent of a branded content, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – think obvious snow effects clinging to green trees as a warm climate stands in for a cold December city.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements come together into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – those people who seek out for cute animal clips. Audiences receive a series of scenes focused on the pet. The primary selling point is the canine star, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and people's faces, the movie delivers on walking sequences, canine sorrow, and, ultimately, a tail-wagging resolution.
The Two-Legged Cast
The same praise does not extend for the romantic plot. The film's approach shifts uneasily between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and outright slapstick, failing to master any one mode. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the absurd and awkward inherent in the dog resort scenario. He brings a charming humility that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will be to your taste or not. Her Anna can feel a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Gus the Dog succeeds in acting depressed – he may not be the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he remains an excellent dog.)
The story strives to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the dog is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. Expectedly, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for the split might seem more nuanced with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. In the end, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – even if I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv streams on Prime Video this December.
