This is a common warning among many that sharing custody a dog post-separation is a terrible idea. Experts frequently claim such situations impede former couples from finding closure, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and become annoying for all parties. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it reportedly leads to the canine in question to become depressed.
Without minimizing the inner life of dogs – countless people observe their deep emotional capacity. For a masterclass in canine melancholy, one need only look another performance. It seems certain that a dog of Merv's nature, a spirited little dog played by the canine actor Gus, would find it difficult coping with divided living arrangements. Whether this premise a feature-length romcom on such a setup holds water remains a questionable prospect.Predictable Foundations
Honestly, Merv, the work of Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and directed by director Swale, never aspires to be anything more than what it is. This is a Christmas movie from a major tech-and-media conglomerate – the complexity are modest. The plot proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ (Charlie Cox) and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their own sadness is surpassed by their dog's, take a uplifting getaway to a dog-friendly resort. At this location, predictably, they will surely stumble toward the idea that they belong with each other. Ensemble players – played by a group of comedic actors – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Its aesthetic has the quality of a platform's in-house production, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – exemplified by flurries surrounding lush pines as a summer location stands in for the Northeast.
Where the Film Shines
If these standard ingredients coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the strength of the performances and the viewer's appetite for cinematic comfort food. For the comfort factor, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who browse regularly for pet content. It provides a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie succeeds in showing dog beach fun, pet moping, and, in the end, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
This level of success is not earned for the interpersonal drama. Its style vacillates between serious study, broad humor, standard rom-com beats, and outright slapstick, failing to master a single genre. This is not the actor playing Russ, who is admirably committed the absurd and awkward demanded of the bizarre setting. He brings a likable self-deprecation that provides much of the film's charm for this on-the-rocks couple. Zooey Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will click for some but not others. The character seems a little too aloof, particularly when paired with Cox's genuine sadness. (For what it's worth, the canine performer succeeds in looking despondent – not quite Messi from that acclaimed drama, he is still a very good boy.)
The story strives to give weight to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, considering the dog is by far the best part of this film designed for charm. Expectedly, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their original breakup would feel more adult and realistic with more screen time and fewer direct statements. As it stands, Merv is light and sugary, meeting precisely what you anticipate. Crafting a story about dog co-parenting is not terrible – though it's not exactly a great one either.
- Merv streams on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
