This is a widely held belief in certain circles that sharing custody a canine companion following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such situations prevent ex-partners from moving forward, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for all parties. Seemingly, in a revelation fit for a streaming movie, it can even cause our furry friends to feel down.
Not to downplay the emotional well-being of our pets – countless people speak of their profound sensitivity. For a prime example in dog sorrow, one need only look another performance. I firmly believe that a dog like Merv, a wired-hair terrier mix played by the canine actor Gus, would have a hard time adapting to split households. The idea of basing a full holiday film on this conflict works effectively is rather doubtful.Predictable Foundations
Fairness demands noting, Merv, the work of its screenwriters and directed by director Swale, makes no grand claims more profound than a light film. We have here a seasonal offering from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the ambitions 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, embark on a uplifting getaway to a luxury pet hotel. At this location, predictably, they will surely realize the idea that they belong with each other. Side characters – featuring a group of comedic actors – serve as quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. The film's look is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is clearly manufactured – as seen in obvious snow effects piled on verdant foliage as a summer location substitutes for a cold December city.
The Dog's Domain
Whether these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience depends on the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. Regarding the second aspect, Merv targets a specific viewer – individuals who scroll endlessly for pet content. It provides a plethora of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some stilted moments between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on walking sequences, dog depression, and, ultimately, pure puppy happiness.
The Human Element
Such effectiveness is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between relationship drama, wacky comedy, formulaic romance, and physical comedy, not quite landing a single genre. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is admirably committed the humiliating and funny required by the unusual premise. Cox exhibits a likable self-deprecation that offers a significant portion of the appeal for this ostensibly perfect couple. Her co-star Deschanel, as is her trademark, brings a certain millennial quirkiness that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, especially when paired with Cox's vulnerable performance. (On another note, Gus the Dog is convincing at looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he remains a scene-stealer.)
Merv tries to provide depth to Anna and Russ's relationship for moments when the dog is absent – a bit of a pity, given that the title character is by far the best part of this feel-good picture. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The cause for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with greater exploration and less blunt explanation. As it stands, Merv is slight and sweet, hitting all its marks. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise has potential – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on the Amazon platform starting December 10.
