This is a widely held belief for numerous people that sharing custody a pet following a split is ill-advised. Most will argue such setups hinder ex-partners from healing, lead to scheduling chaos, lead to tension, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Seemingly, and in a twist fit for a streaming movie, it also makes our furry friends to become depressed.
Not to downplay the mental health of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. If you need masterclass in pet despair, simply recall recent cinema. It seems certain that a dog like Merv, a scruffy terrier type brought to life by a talented dog named Gus, would have a hard time adapting to divided living arrangements. The idea of basing a feature-length romcom on such a setup is sustainable is debatable at best.A Familiar Formula
Honestly, Merv, crafted by Dane Clark and Linsey Stewart and under the guidance of playwright Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than what it is. It functions as a Christmas movie from a corporate studio – the complexity remains surface-level. The narrative is destined to be uncomplicated: former spouses Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna (Zooey Deschanel), confronting that their individual funk is rivaled only by their dog's, embark on a therapeutic trip to a dog-friendly resort. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly rediscover the idea that they are better together. Ensemble players – played by familiar faces – fulfill roles quirky, thinly written, or broadly comic. Visually carries the feel of a streaming service original, with a holiday backdrop that is obviously artificial – think flurries piled on lush pines as a warm climate doubles as a wintery Boston.
The Canine Charisma
If these familiar elements coalesce into a pleasant experience hinges on the execution and an acceptance of cinematic comfort food. On the latter point, Merv knows its audience – the kind who scroll endlessly for pet content. Audiences receive a wealth of scenes focused on the pet. The main attraction is the canine star, and even if it causes some clunky cuts between what the dog does and human reaction, the movie delivers on dog beach fun, canine sorrow, and, in the end, doggie joy.
The Human Element
This level of success cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach wavers between relationship drama, zany antics, predictable love story, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Charlie Cox, who is admirably committed the silliness and cringe demanded of the dog resort scenario. His performance contains a likable self-deprecation that offers the bulk of the chemistry for this ostensibly perfect couple. Zooey Deschanel, in her typical fashion, imparts a particular brand of eccentricity that will either resonate with viewers. Her Anna seems a little too aloof, notably when paired with Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (On another note, the canine performer manages looking despondent – he may not be a canine thespian of that caliber, he is still a very good boy.)
The film attempts to give weight to the central romance for sequences focusing solely on them – a regrettable choice, given that the title character is by far the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it achieves only baseline competence. The cause for their original breakup might seem more grounded and mature with less exposition and fewer direct statements. In the end, Merv is gentle and pleasant, fulfilling precisely what you anticipate. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv becomes available on Amazon Prime Video starting December 10.
