This is a common warning for numerous people that sharing custody a dog after a breakup is a recipe for trouble. Most will argue such setups hinder individuals from moving forward, create logistical nightmares, spark arguments, and are a nuisance for everyone involved. Apparently, as a development fit for a streaming movie, it also makes the dogs themselves to experience sadness.
While respecting the inner life of animals – many owners speak of their deep emotional capacity. To witness a prime example in canine melancholy, one need only look a past film. I firmly believe that a dog of Merv's nature, a wired-hair terrier mix played by Gus the Dog, would have a hard time coping with life in two homes. If this concept a full holiday film around this situation works effectively is a questionable prospect.Standard Holiday Fare
Honestly, Merv, crafted by its screenwriters and directed by Jessica Swale, never aspires to be more profound than a light film. This is a holiday release from a streaming platform giant – the ambitions is limited. The narrative proves to be uncomplicated: a separated couple Russ, played by Charlie Cox and Anna, portrayed by Zooey Deschanel, confronting that their individual funk is surpassed by their dog's, embark on a cheer-up vacation to a canine-centric retreat. There, inevitably, they will undoubtedly stumble toward the idea that they should reunite. Side characters – played by Chris Redd, Jasmine Mathews, and others – serve as eccentric, underutilized, or over-the-top. Its aesthetic is reminiscent of a platform's in-house production, with a wintry atmosphere that is obviously artificial – exemplified by fake snow piled on green trees as North Carolina stands in for a wintery Boston.
Where the Film Shines
Whether these familiar elements coalesce into an entertaining watch rests upon the execution and one's taste for easy entertainment. On the latter point, Merv hones in on a demographic – the kind who seek out for dog videos. The film delivers a plethora of canine-centric sequences. The central draw is the dog, and though it results in some stilted moments between the pet's "lines" and human reaction, the movie does offer canine party antics, canine sorrow, and, finally, pure puppy happiness.
The Two-Legged Cast
Such effectiveness cannot be applied for the human side of the story. The film's approach vacillates between serious study, zany antics, standard rom-com beats, and silly gags, not quite landing a consistent feel. The fault lies not with Cox's performance, who is willing to embrace the silliness and cringe demanded of the unusual premise. He brings a charming humility that provides a significant portion of the appeal for this on-the-rocks couple. Her co-star Deschanel, true to her usual style, imparts a distinctive offbeat energy that will either resonate with viewers. The character seems a little too aloof, notably when alongside Cox's heartfelt sincerity. (For what it's worth, Merv himself is convincing at flopping and whining – not quite the award-winner from Anatomy of a Fall, he's definitely a scene-stealer.)
The story strives to add substance to the central romance for moments when the dog is absent – which is unfortunate, since Merv is easily the most adorable aspect of this cute-aiming movie. As one might predict, it just about gets by. The catalyst for their separation might seem more grounded and mature with more screen time and more subtle storytelling. Ultimately, Merv is light and sugary, hitting every expected note. Creating a movie on this shared-custody premise isn't a bad idea – though I wouldn't call it a great one either.
- Merv premieres on the Amazon platform on December 10th.
