This is a common warning in certain circles that sharing custody a dog following a split is a recipe for trouble. The consensus suggests such situations hinder former couples from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, fuel disputes, and prove frustrating for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Without minimizing the emotional well-being of our pets – many owners speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in canine melancholy, consider a past film. There is little doubt that a dog like Merv, a spirited little dog portrayed by a talented dog named Gus, would find it difficult coping with life in two homes. The idea of basing a full holiday film around this situation holds water seems debatable at best.Standard Holiday Fare
Fairness demands noting, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and under the guidance of director Swale, makes no grand claims anything more than its premise. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), forced to acknowledge that their individual funk is matched by their dog's, decide on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they should reunite. The supporting cast – featuring familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is visibly contrived – think fake snow clinging to lush pines as North Carolina doubles as the Northeast.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements merge into something enjoyable rests upon the execution and one's taste for cinematic comfort food. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – the kind who seek out for dog videos. It provides a wealth of adorable dog montages. The primary selling point is Merv himself, and though it results in some clunky cuts between animal action and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, pet moping, and, finally, doggie joy.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success does not extend for the romantic plot. The tone shifts uneasily between relationship drama, broad humor, formulaic romance, and silly gags, not quite landing any one mode. No blame falls on the actor playing Russ, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. He brings a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Anna's portrayer, in her typical fashion, imparts a certain millennial quirkiness that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna comes across as a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at looking despondent – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he is still an excellent dog.)
Merv tries to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is easily the cutest element of this cute-aiming movie. Unsurprisingly, it meets the bare minimum. The cause for their separation could have been more nuanced with greater exploration and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, fulfilling every expected note. Creating a movie with this canine conflict is not terrible – though it's hardly a brilliant concept.
- Merv streams on Prime Video starting December 10.
